Meet Matt
Matt is one of the sweetest guys you could ever meet! One of his most endearing qualities is the value he places on family. He has participated in the Manhattan Beach 10K for several years and often as part of a family team. We hope you enjoy his story! If you see him on October 7, he'll greet you with a huge smile and a high five.
Our Q & A With Matt
You had a baby boy in January, congrats! How is life as a new dad?
Being a father couldn’t be sweeter, more exciting and fulfilling. I’m elevated when I look into Dean’s eyes, realizing he is discovering a new world at every moment and how lucky I am to play a part in his cinematic life. His smile outshines the sun. His mother, Dani, has proven the strength of a woman transcends this world. Her spirit and endurance is mesmerizing, her compassion is contagious. Having this experience as a father and husband couldn’t be more wonderful!
What are some traditions you’d like to pass along to your son?
It’s hard to say as there are so many. I’m inclined to say that I want Dean to discover as much tradition as he can by exposing him to the world, to people and to culture. Traditionally our family leads by example, always striving to be the best at what we do, to know who you are and to be yourself at all times; enjoying each moment as if it’s your first or your last. Competition is also a tradition of ours, whether among family, sport, scholastic or in your career. The Manhattan 10K, as an example, began as competition, then fun, then a connection amongst our family and ultimately became a tradition as each year the run represented something new and refreshing. Like 2016 representing the future birth of our son, and 2017 will be the celebration of his life.
We know you are all about family, why is your family so special to you?
Family is the core of your soul. Your foundation is built on your family and securing that foundation with love is the pillar of your character. Life’s first experiences derive from family and challenges in life are often overcome by the support you receive from family. I believe very much in tangible love, something that you can experience, touch, feel, embrace, learn from and connect with. Family is all of those and more.
You have run with your dad in several MB10Ks as well as your siblings. Tell us about your experiences running as a family team.
My brother Eric is credited for bringing the Manhattan Beach 10K to our family. He grew up in PV along with my sister Jenny, then Hermosa and some time in Manhattan Beach. In 2003 Eric asked my girlfriend Dani and I, my future wifey, if we wanted to run. He lived off 8th street at the time and we all stayed at his house and then ran the next day. It was so much fun. Wonderfully organized race, perfect weather, friends, family and beer gardens afterward <grin, smile>. We had a blast. The next year more family joined and soon we were celebrating each year at my brother’s house and then running the race. It became a family tradition that we would run the race, then celebrate my brother's birthday at his house afterward with LOTS of food, smiles and making fun of those who had a tough time <LOL>. As we’ve gotten older running as a team became more important as it brought us together, training for a cause and uniting each other in a goal. I want to medal every year with my dad, share the stories with my son, and give him the medals that his Grandfather and I won together.
You have medaled many times, how do you proudly display your MB10K medals?
I have to laugh as I truly cherish the MB10K medals much more than those I’ve gathered at other races. Running has been a big part of my family’s life – my wifey medaling a few times as well. I do actually keep these medals on a pedestal at home – more for my family when they visit to evoke nostalgia and begin the fun discussion of remembering the times. These are keepsakes. The MB10K is a fun race, just enough challenge, but possibly not something a professional runner would mantel. But for us they mean so much more. In a way they are a time capsule.
You live in Orange County but continue to come up here for the race. Why do you keep running the MB10K?
Shoot – it’s Manhattan Beach - <LOL> - we run every year to bring our family together and enjoy the unbelievable tradition that Manhattan Beach created to give back to the community. Everyone that runs this race is having so much fun. Not only that, as you run everyone is outside their homes enjoying the spectacle, cheering and motivating. The music each mile lets you know you’re almost there and then the last stretch heading toward the beach and seeing the view of the ocean reminds you that life is pretty darn good. Finishing the race with family, taking pictures afterward, eating great food all while enjoying the scenery of the pier and ocean is quite addicting. I could give you a million reasons why we run this race. The #1 reason is to be with family, honestly.
Please Note!
Online Registration for the MB10K is going on NOW at www.mb10k.com and ends October 2, 2017.
In-store Registration opens this Friday, September 1st at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach and ends October 6th at 7 pm.
EARLY REGISTRATION PRICING NOW - SEPTEMBER 25TH:
$30 Youth (14 & under)
$35 Adults
Family Teams
If you would like to form a family team, read the information below and then click here.*
*If the form doesn't load immediately, try at least twice and/or clear cookies from your device.
- Both team members must be REGISTERED before they can be entered as a team
- Team entries will be accepted until 10/6 @ 7pm
- Team members must be a minimum of 9 years old
Questions? Please email us at mb10krun@yahoo.com
Team training starts NOW! :D
We offer SEVEN different family team categories comprised of TWO runners each: brother-brother, brother-sister, sister-sister, mother-son, mother-daughter, father-son, and father-daughter.
We also offer a 200+lbs division for men and women. There is no fee to be entered as a team and team members do not need to run together. Medals will be awarded to the top 10 combined finishing times in each team category.
Image Credits: Matt McConnell
THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES & SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
COME CELEBRATE OUR 40TH BIRTHDAY WITH US AND RUN OR WALK - OCTOBER 7, 2017 AT 7:30 AM!
We'll see you at the starting line!
Sign up below and we'll send you valuable information about the Manhattan Beach 10K Run.